Exercise and osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a major health concern in Australia. However, it’s often called a ‘silent disease’ because many people don’t know they have it until they experience a fracture. 

Luckily, a powerful tool for managing this disease is something you can do for free – exercise! 

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones over time, making them more porous and brittle. It's more advanced than osteopenia, which means lower-than-normal bone density. But osteopenia can become osteoporosis if too much bone mass is lost.

The leading causes of this condition are the genes you inherit and getting older. However, it can also be caused by: 

• Not moving enough
• Not getting enough calcium and vitamin D
• Smoking and excessive alcohol intake

Osteoporosis can cause fractures or broken bones, which could affect your ability to move and stay independent. But by making healthy choices you can prevent and manage osteoporosis.

Exercise and osteoporosis

The healthiest choice you can make for your body is to stay active in a way that works for you. Your bones respond to movement just like your muscles do, getting stronger with the right kind of exercise. Regular exercise is a lifelong strategy for healthy bones as well as overall health.

Here’s how exercise can help you decrease your risk of osteoporosis and manage your bone health:

How does exercise reduce your risk of osteoporosis? 

Doing minimal physical activity results in your bones becoming weaker. Moving your body every day is important for improving and maintaining bone health.  

In fact, regular moderate-intensity exercise can help you increase your bone density. This makes exercise your first defence against osteoporosis when it comes to both treatment and prevention.

Remember that movement is medicine. More movement increases your likelihood of having strong healthy bones and decreases your risk of osteoporosis.  

How does exercise help you manage osteoporosis? 

For people with osteoporosis, most bone fractures occur because of a fall. Luckily, you can reduce your risk of falling by exercising. Moderate-intensity movement builds up your muscle strength and improves your balance.  

This means, if you have osteoporosis, exercise can reduce your risk of fractures in two ways: 

• By making your bones stronger so they are less likely to fracture if you fall 
• By preventing falls and injury in the first place 

What exercise is good for osteoporosis?

Exercise provides great benefits when managing or even reversing osteoporosis. However, when it comes to bone health, not all exercise is equal.  

Bones need to experience the right amount of impact and strain. They have an amazing ability to adapt! In response to different weights and applied stress, they become stronger or denser.  

Low-impact, weight-bearing exercise is the best kind of exercise for osteoporosis.  

What is weight-bearing exercise?

Weight-bearing exercise refers to exercise you do against a resisting force.  

Here are some examples of how you can apply some resistance to your movements: 

• Pushing or pulling against resistance bands 
• Using extra weights like dumbbells 
• Resisting the force of gravity on your bodyweight 

Weight-bearing exercise is also called strength training, since it helps build strength in your muscles and bones. 

Examples of low-impact weight-bearing exercise include activities like stair climbing, walking, or even gardening.  

Exercises such as cycling or swimming, however, while low-impact, aren’t considered weight-bearing. They’re great for general fitness, but not as great at improving bone strength. 

Weight-bearing exercise and osteoporosis

Here are some of the benefits of weight-bearing exercise for osteoporosis: 

• Your bones stop getting weaker
• Improved general fitness
• Improved strength, mobility, balance, and coordination
• Reduced risk of bone fractures caused by falls
• Reduced pain
• Improved mood and more energy

Tips for exercising with osteoporosis

A great starting point is to make sure you’re moving your body the recommended amount of time each day for your age. For people over 65 years old, that's 30 minutes per day. Follow these guidelines for the prevention and management of osteoporosis:

• Try moderate-intensity exercise that does not increase pain.
• Include weight-bearing activities that increase bone strength like dancing, brisk walking, and ping pong.
• Add strength exercises using light weights, elastic bands, and resistance cables.
• Try home-based strength exercises using household items and makeshift weights. 
• Include balance exercises to reduce the risk of falls.

If you have osteoporosis, please talk to your doctor before you start a new exercise program.

What exercises should you not do with osteoporosis? 

While exercise is one of the best ways to protect your bones, it’s important to choose movements that are safe and effective. Here are some important things to think about when exercising with osteoporosis:

• Try to reduce exercise that involves very fast moves or lots of strain on your joints.
• Avoid movements that cause pain. 
• Avoid high-impact exercise such as running on a treadmill.  
• Be careful when twisting and reduce sudden or forceful moves.
• Start small and slowly increase the amount of weight-bearing exercise and resistance.

Most people need an exercise program that includes moderate weight-bearing movement. But sometimes a gentler approach may be best.

How else can you boost bone health? 

Exercise is one important part of the big picture that is your health. To prevent and manage osteoporosis, addressing all the possible causes is the best strategy.

Consider your diet and lifestyle habits. Eating food rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein can help improve your bone health. You can also get vitamin D from sunlight. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink and quitting smoking will help to support your bone health, too.  

Get in touch with LiveUp 

If you would like to find local exercise classes, social activities, and helpful tips, try the quick quiz or call one of our helpful team on 1800 951 971.

For more detailed information about osteoporosis, you can also follow these links: 

• Exercise Right
• Healthy Bones Australia

References

Exercise Right. (2023). How does exercise help osteoporosis? Powered by Exercise & Sports Science Australia.  https://exerciseright.com.au/osteoporosis

'In Australia, osteoporosis affects over 1.2 million people. Around 50% of women and 33% of men over 60 years old have osteoporosis.' Healthy Bones Australia. (2023). The challenge. https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/about-us/bone-health-australia

NIH. (2022, December). Osteoporosis. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis

How to use this information

LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice.  Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others.  You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances.  Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk.  Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.

Read more Strength articles

Did you enjoy this article? You may also like reading similar healthy ageing articles.

See all Strength articles